Domotex Middle East 2009, a key carpets and floor coverings exhibition in the Mena region, expects the fast-growing Bahrain real estate sector to boost the interiors market.

The show organisers expect a strong turnout of real estate developers, who wish to leverage on the 18 per cent growth of Bahrain’s property sector in 2008, to acquire top carpet and floor covering products and services.

The event, to be held in Dubai from May 17 to 19, aims to boost the regional wholesale market for carpets and floor coverings, by providing a suitable platform for buyers and suppliers to transact and identify new business opportunities.

A 2008 Bahrain Stock Exchange report recently revealed that local real estate trade amounted to BD1.65 billion ($4.38 billion) in 2008, representing an 18 per cent increase over 2007.

Planned strategic government-backed projects such as the BD140 million expansion of the Bahrain International Airport will further boost tourism and spur hospitality-related developments, thus extending the property growth trend in 2009 and onwards. This will benefit related sectors such as interior design and carpets and floor coverings.

“Bahrain’s property businesses still thrived in 2008 despite the emergence of the global financial crisis. This bodes well for the future of the country’s carpets and floor coverings trade, which Domotex plans to fully capitalise on,” said Angela Schaschen, managing director, Deutsche Messe Dubai Branch.

This year's edition of Domotex Middle East will feature two special segments – Creative Flooring and Designers Corner – that will showcase materials, products, techniques and trends in carpet and flooring designs for the hospitality and office sectors.-TradeArabia News Service